Building Management Hawaii - June/July 2012 - (Page 9)

Get Water is the greatest solvent in the world … keep your building dry. By Sean Dunham W ithout question, Hawaii has a high number of concrete structures whether they are commercial, residential, industrial, governmental or institutional. As these various types of concrete structures age, it’s quite common to find water penetration issues. Of course, the particular type of water intrusion problems that occur and their waterproofing solutions vary to some degree depending on the building’s design and specific type of construction. The two most commonly found forms of construction in Hawaii are: • Poured-in-place concrete structures with either conventional steel reinforcing or post-tensioned cables (e.g., a high-rise condominium) • Concrete masonry blocks (i.e., CMU) structures typically found in low-rise buildings, warehouses and buildings using a combination of reinforced concrete with CMU fill-in. While both types of concrete structures are subject to water penetration, CMU buildings historically have two significant issues—numerous small cracks at grout lines and the high porosity of the CMU block. For these reasons, CMU buildings are strong candidates for elastomeric coatings that bridge hairline cracks exceptionally well. This is especially true if the interior is to be finished with a paint system or A freshly waterproofed pool deck at the Hawaiian Monarch by Kawika’s Painting. drywall hung flush to the wall. Water is the greatest solvent in the world and it’s everywhere. There are five common areas for water worries: Windows & Doors: Water penetration in windows and doors commonly grow into leaks, which in turn frequently result in adjacent area problems. Window and door leaks are typically caused by the aging and deterioration of the perimeter sealant. After a certain amount of time, the sealant starts to break down and shrink. And, unless the sealant is either temporarily patched or fully removed and replaced on the building, it will separate from the metal and concrete while also Maintenance of window sealant is necessary as buildings age and sealants break down and pull away. www.buildingmanagementhawaii.com “pulling” the paint with it. The result is that the water gains access to the window or door anchors, causing them to corrode. Another factor may be that the window and door anchors may not have been “wet-set.” There are two alternative ways to wet-set anchors so they do not become paths for water. The first option is to pre-drill the hole, blow out the dust with an oil-less compressor, then fill the hole up with sealant, and finally, install the anchor that pushes the sealant up out and around all sides of the penetration before the sealant cures. If this first procedure is not an option, the second choice is to pre-drill the hole, blow out the dust with an oilless compressor, then install sealant around the head of the anchor and washer in a Hershey’s Kiss shape. Parking Areas & Pool Decks: High-traffic areas such as parking garages and pool decks are subjected to a number of environmental factors that can lead to water penetration and concrete deterioration. If not properly sealed, moisture and salts BMH June-July 2012 9 http://www.buildingmanagementhawaii.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Management Hawaii - June/July 2012

Contents
Editor’s Note
When the Winds Blow
Why Waterproof? Keep your building watertight & upright.
Get Watertight Water is the greatest solvent in the world ... keep your building dry.
What Drains Your Building?
Asbestos Exposed How to safely recover from mold and flood damage.
Mold Misunderstood
Water Leaks—from Bad to Worse
The Power of Paint
Life of Paint
It’s Best to Test A paint test can detect lead, and be the trick in finding a paint that will stick.
Industry News
Movers & Shakers
Association Updates
Resource Guide: Waterproofing & Painting

Building Management Hawaii - June/July 2012